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“You’re pissed at me.” Jason mused as he looked up from his phone.Dick didn’t talk much during the walk towards the dorms. Typical. When his brother’s pissed, he shuts down. To be fair, Jason did the same, but that’s usually after the stopped up bottle of emotions blows up, usually in someone else's face. They’re currently standing in the elevator, heading up to their dorm. Bruce must have bribed the staff into giving the two of them rooms right next to each other, probably so Dick could keep an eye on him and give reports to their father. No way this was all a big coincidence.“I’m not pissed.” Dick muttered, narrowed blue eyes staring daggers right at him.“Sure you aren’t.” Jason rolled his eyes, pulling his phone out when he heard the chime of his ringtone.Roy had sent another text.

DM: Jason Todd -> Roy Harper

Roy Harper : how does after school sound 
Jason Todd : Sounds good. You can pick me up after your practice.
Jason Todd: Do you know what punctuation is? 
Roy Harper : we’re texting you ass
Roy Harper: sorry i’ll write a essay about our date and give it to you tomorrow handsome
Jason Todd: No need. I’ll get used to it.
After a beat of silence, Dick breaks it first. “What did you two even talk about? He stole your book, right? Do you want me to get it back-”Jason shook his head, looking away from his phone. “No, I let him borrow it. Roy has apparently never read the classic and best revenge story in existence, so I asked him too. And asked him on a date as well.”Dick looked incredulous at that. “ You asked him on a date?”Jason nodded, proud of himself in the moment, or at least putting up that front. It felt good to ruffle some of those perfect feathers of the family’s golden boy. “Yeah, I did.”“Why? Are you jealous?” Jason quickly added, flashing a shit eating grin at Dick as the elevator door opened. Dick hip checks Jason on the way into the hallway. “As if.” he playfully scoffs. Jason rolls his eyes at the comment. Dick had to be jealous because he didn’t talk to him throughout the car ride. “Right, right. You have a plethora of redheads you can date. Speaking of, the skinny guy you were next to, that’s the boyfriend Tim says you’ve been gushing about?”“Wally? Yeah, but that’s none of your business, or Tim’s for that matter. He doesn’t also get to complain when all he talks about is Conner Kent this and Conner Kent that-”Jason raises a brow at the name. “Kent. Why is that name familiar?”“Clark Kent. One of the Metropolis reporters dad actually gets along with. That’s his son or something.” Dick answers, and he continues on, but Jason starts to tune him out.“Why did I ask?” Jason muses, shaking his headHis replacement would be interested in a reporter’s kid; considering the kid borderline stalked Bruce, Dick, and Jason since he was nine. Rich kid with too much money and not enough parental guidance would do that. Now he’s actually a part of their shitshow of a family, even though he’s not officially adopted… yet. He’s sure once Tim’s father gives him up or drops dead, Bruce would be signing the papers to bring in another dark haired, blue eyed boy into the family tree. He already had a room he basically lived in, only going back to his father’s whenever he’s called. It’s not like Tim would say no anyways.Jason left with Talia before Tim arrived into the picture, after Bruce and her had a very scandalous and public break-up. Jason was basically at Bruce’s throat almost everyday, being thirteen and never really adjusting to the life of the rich and famous as well as Dick did. It was better for him anyways, they moved around a lot, he met Rose and Eddie, he was able to do what he wanted provided he’d babysit Damian a few times. Then he got into contact with his biological mother, and that ended with assault and battery charges from his mother’s abusive boyfriend thrown at him at 15. Bruce’s money lawyers only got him off with juvie instead of being tried as an adult. He spent six months in a juvenile detention center without a single visit from the old man. Talia came when she could, Rose and Eddie called, Dick visited almost every day during the summer until he told him to “fuck off,” which at this point the both of them know that means “give me space, you asshole.” When he came out, Bruce came down with ridiculous and strict rules for him and only him. He had to go to therapy for his anger issues (which was court ordered, but Bruce made sure he went); he couldn’t go out past ten; he had to tell someone where he’d be, and if anyone found out he didn’t go there he’d be grounded. The only reason he was allowed to come to school in New York was because Dick offered to keep a “tight leash” on his younger brother.Tight leash being; do your homework, check in with me, tell me if you're going out, and don’t get arrested again. Those were pretty easy rules to follow. He does worry Dick might add one about dating his exes.Speaking of, Jason starts to prod Dick on his attitude towards all this. “So you’re not jealous, what is it?”Dick scoffs at that. “Roy shouldn’t be flirting with you in the first place, that’s what I’m pissed about. You’re my brother, he can’t just act like I should be fine with it.”“I’m 16, I think I’m old enough to decide if I want to date or sleep with your ex-” Jason tried.“He’s not my ex. I slept with him a few times, and people think we were more serious then that.” Dick groans. “And I know you are old enough, it’s a friend thing, it’s weird to go after your best friend’s brother.”“Best friend and ex-friends with benefits bro code. Got it.” He stopped at his dorm room and swiped his key card in the lock. “Dick, I’ll be fine. If things don’t work out, I’m not going to make you choose between him or me unless he does something really fucked up.”Dick swiped his card as well, nodding his head. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll try and save the shovel talk for if you actually go steady, little wing .” His voice his light, teasing him by punctuating it by calling him that old nickname. “Threatening Roy? I thought he was your best friend, big bird .” As Dick sputters at the big bird jab, Jason stepped into his dorm and shut the door quickly. He glanced at his phone and scanned their text messages, internally screaming as he now has a date with a way to flirty redhead. He’s not even sure how to go about this date. What does he do, what does he say, is he supposed to wear something? He can’t just admit to Roy that he’s never really had a date outside of holding hands with a girl during school recess. So, he does the next best responsible thing.
Jason Todd has created a new group chat .
Jason Todd added Rose Willson and Eddie Bloomberg to the group chat .
Rose Wilson: he lives. 👋🏻
Jason Todd: I have a date friday. Help.
Rose Willson named the group chat || Star Crossed Lovers ||
Eddie Bloomberg changed their name to Midsummer Night Dreamy
Midsummer Night Dreamy: is your Romeo hot?
Rose Willson changed their name to By Any Other Name

By Any Other Name: get us a pic. now.  
Of course they both tease him about this. What were friends for if not to convince you let them bleach a white streak in your hair, and relentlessly tease you for the fact you have never been on an actual date in your life. He shoved his head into his pillow to muffle his annoyed groan before going to text the group back. He realized his name had been changed to match the theme Rose just made up after hearing his dilemma.
Rose Wilson changed Jason Todd’s name to Juliet
Juliet : Ha ha. Very funny, Rose
Juliet : No. I’m not getting a selfie from him so you can see that he’s hot.
Juliet: Which he is, by the way.
Midsummer Night Dreamy : then “paint us a picture with your words” lover boy.
Midsummer Night Dreamy: and tell us he isn’t some prep school dream kid. lie if you must.
Juliet: Red hair, long enough to pull up. Really strong arms because he’s the archery captain. Emerald Green eyes. Is kind of Romeo-esc because Dick is acting like he’s forbidden just because they fucked.
Midsummer Night Dreamy : we’re going through Dick’s insta followers.
Midsummer Night Dreamy: Wally? isn’t Dick dating him?
By Any Other Name : strong arms, Eddie. and Wally’s hair is short.
By Any Other Name : OMG
By Any Other Name: ROY FUCKING HARPER
Juliet: Yes?
By Any Other Name : look!
By Any Other Name: [image attached]
Midsummer Night Dreamy : IS THAT OLIVER QUEEN?!
Midsummer Night Dreamy: i thought you were trying to stay off Bruce’s bad side, not sleep with Queen’s foster kid! 
Sure enough, his friends had spend barely a minute digging through his brother’s instagram followers to find Roy’s handle and all of his “dirty secrets.” The picture is a selfie of him, Oliver Queen himself in the background and half smiling for the camera. He remembers seeing him at a party he was forced to attend so he and Dick could feel like charity cases in front of their father’s guests. Queen and him clearly had some rivalry with one another, or they didn’t seem like they got along but were faking it for the cameras. Roy might have been there, maybe he wasn’t taken in yet, he can’t quite remember and he wasn’t there for long. He eventually snuck into the library to hide from the nosey reporters. The press always thought he was dumb or something, because they never looked in the library for Jason.  Jason quickly fires back to the group chat.
Juliet : IT’S NOT LIKE ANYONE TOLD ME THAT!
Juliet: And it’s not Bruce’s business of who I’m dating or sleeping with. If he doesn’t like it, he can shove his opinion up his privileged ass.
By Any Other Name : no wonder Dick’s pissy. guy is hot as hell. probably would still tap that.
By Any Other Name: [image attached]
Midsummer Night Dreamy: 👀
By Any Other Name: my god, his abs 🥵 
Juliet: Fuck.
The first thing he sees is abs and those familiar strong arms. It’s no thirst trap in the sense that Roy intentionally putting that out there, but fuck.The archer is shirtly. He clearly had finished a workout. A red armband of what looks like native american art wrapped around one of his biceps. The light that seeped in from the windows hit Roy’s body in such a way that you could almost call it art. Roy wasn’t incredibly cut, but Rose wasn’t wrong when she mentioned his abs. The things that ran through his hormonal teen brain that he shouldn’t be thinking of when he hasn’t even kissed him yet.
Juliet: As hot as that is, I need advice on what to do, still
Midsummer Night Dreamy: don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
By Any Other Name: and what wouldn’t you do, Eddie?
Midsummer Night Dreamy :
Midsummer Night Dreamy: fuck you.
By Any Other Name : take me to dinner first, you demon spawn
By Any Other Name : just be yourself. know that sounds stupid but it works. he probably wants to go with you because he thinks your hot and he liked talking to you.
By Any Other Name: where’s your date at?
Juliet : You’re supposed to help me flirt, not flirt with one another.
Juliet: We’re going to see a movie and then I’m going back to his place.
Midsummer Night Dreamy: be safe. use protection.
By Any Other Name: i need a spray bottle for you.
Jason rolled his eyes. Like he’d give it up on the first date…At least he thinks he wouldn’t. Things might change during said date.
Juliet: Why am I friends with the both of you again?

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chemistry was a grand old time! Kory nearly mixed the wrong chemicals that would have probably might have caused the classroom to be evacuated, and Dick is giving Roy some very threatening looks from across the room. He’s not sure if he should think it’s cute how protective Dick is of his little brother; or be terrified that one wrong move, Dick would be at his dorm room ready to kick the ever living shit out of him. And Wally is just watching his boyfriend with the most love stricken puppy dog eyes he could muster. (“Head over heels, Wally.” he remembers saying to his best friend several times before and after they started dating.)

“Remind me to not publicly hit on Jason again, less I face the ire of Dick Grayson.” Roy muttered to Kory, vaguely gesturing his head towards the icy blue eyes attempting to burn holes into Roy’s soul.

Kory scribbled something down in her notebook when. “I would, but you’d just ignore it.”

“Touche.”

After class, Wally was flagging Roy down, wrapping an arm around the archer’s shoulder. “Hey!”

“Hey. Your boyfriend ’s pissed and complaining to you?” Roy asks.

Wally wrinkles his nose. “Yes, but I’m not here to complain to you about that.”

“I would say I’m sorry, but I’m not that sorry.” Roy’s light comment earned a bright blush and a laugh from the redhead.

“It’s cool, dude! I’m kind of in the dog house.” Wally explains, following Roy wherever he was going. The two of them learned they both had a free period so they could do whatever they wanted for an hour. “I might have suggested that Dick shouldn’t make a big deal out of this.”

Roy cringed at the thought. Dick probably gave that same glare to Wally that he’d given him the entire period. “That should have been your death. Are you sure you’re not a ghost? Am I that kid in the sixth sense?”

“Is it like Harry Potter where I have to live in the boy’s bathroom for the rest of my ghostly days? ‘Cause I don’t think I want to live there, it smells like a sewer half the time.” Wally smirks as Roy throws his head back with a laugh. “So, ‘cause you got that date tonight, I think I can distact Dick long enough to avoid you getting the talk”

“The one where my best friend tells me if I hurt one hair on Jason’s head my life is forfeit?” Roy reminds Wally.

“Right, that’s the one. I think it was a little less murder hobo, but…” Wally trails off before continuing. “So, how are you feeling?”

Roy hums at that. He’d been counting down the hours on the clock the entire day. “Yep. That’s all tonight. Don’t tell anyone but I’m kind of nervous.”

“Really?” Wally’s brows went up at that. “ ‘Cause Dick?”

“No. Just ‘cause.” Roy corrected. “Jason’s very uh…”

Jason is sweet, there is no doubt about it, but he seemed guarded about who got to know about that. They talk a bit over text, sometimes about the book Roy had taken the first time they spoke,

Count of Monte Cristo

. Mostly though they talk about whatever they’re doing at the moment, which for Jason was usually homework. For someone who was rumored to be this big bad kid with a rap sheet a mile long, he was very focused on passing his classes. It’s probably a Wayne kid thing. From the little he’d seen of him, and the most he heard from both Dick and Oliver, the guy seemed to value education. He did send both of his kids to one of the most prestigious academies in New York.

The times they did talk in person, Jason showed his interest with his psychical cues: the way he scanned the lunch room over his book to find him, and the way his eyes light up briefly before he contained himself, the way his cheeks dusted with pink as Roy would say something a little too flirtatious, leaning in slightly as he listens to Roy info dump about the shop class he’d picked up, how he’d let out a chuckle at his corny jokes. And not to mention he’s handsome and knows it, or it seems that way.

But Jason seemed guarded, like he was holding back. He might have good reason, Roy had plenty of his own reasons for his walls, but Jason’s seemed completely different. They didn’t want to let anyone in, and when you get past that first wall, there is another taller, darker wall to get past. Roy, when he cares about someone, will jump headfirst, which could scare Jason off. He has to keep himself aware of that.

“Uh… what?” Wally pressed.

“I don’t know. Just probably the usual nerves.” He hopes Wally doesn’t press any further, else he’d sound head over heels

Which he’s not… At least, he doesn’t think so.

Wally must read minds as well as be the fastest man on the track field, because he drops it and starts to talk about some video game he’s been playing recently. While he listens, he catches a glimpse of a raven-haired boy with a white streak, like black marble with white veins, and the most beautiful, stormy teal eyes. He swears those blue eyes meet his, and he swears time seems to slow just a bit.

“You know, I could help you out, if you need?” Wally says, noticing his friend is still distracted.

“Fuck it, what’s the worse that could happen?”

Wally West

has created a new chat group

Wally West

added

Donna Troy, Kory Anders, Garth

Curry,

and

Roy Harper

to the chat.

Wally West:
guys I need help

Donna Troy
: With?

Wally West

changed the group name to

|Idiot Support Group|

Wally West
: @Roy Harper

Roy Harper
: oh fuck you wally

Wally West
: i can’t do this alone. i will die

Wally West

changed his name to

FastestManAlive

Donna Troy

changed her name to

PhotoshopPirate

Kory Anders

changed her name to

SpaceGirl

Roy Harper

changed his name to

NotThisShitAgain

Garth Curry

changed his name to

Mermaid

PhotoshopPirate
: @NotThisShitAgain call me, now.

NotThisShitAgain
: WHY

PhotoshopPirate
: BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WEAR THAT STUPID HAT AND I’M MAKING SURE OF IT.

NotThisShitAgain
: FUCK YOU I LIKE THIS HAT

FastestManAlive
: gotta agree. hat is shit.

SpaceGirl
: no it’s stupid and if you wear it I will burn it

SpaceGirl
: and then kick your ass

Mermaid
: lose the hat, it’s fucking awful. even I know that.

NotThisShitAgain
: … i’m hiding it where none of you will find it.

Roy’s hands are shaking for someone so steady with a bow. He’s so nervous his stomach is doing backflips as flawlessly as Dick Grayson can. Tonight is going to be fine. He’s just going on a date with a really hot guy who happens to be his best friend's

brother

. It’s going to be

fine

.

Just

.

Fine

. Roy raises his hand to tap his knuckles against the door when he picks up a conversation through thin walls.

“Rose, it’s a movie date. I can’t look like an idiot!”

“Jason Peter Todd! Pick a shirt or you’re going to be late!”

“Yeah, yeah...” Jason's voice seems laced with nerves. “What if this goes terribly?”

“It will go fine, you prickly cactus. Just put a shirt on. No, god no,

not that one

!”

Roy smiles, his knuckles resting against the thick wooden door. Good to know he’s not the only one nervous out of their mind. One vague warning made of emojis from Dick, a pep talk from Wally via DMs, and a thirty minute  facetime call with Kory and Donna for advice as he’s shouted at to pick something to wear before he’s late, he can still feel the first time jitters. A rocky start, but it’s only upwards from here. Hopefully. He takes a deep breath, then he finally knocks on the door.

“Yes?” Jason calls through the door.

“Hey, it’s me.” Roy calls through the door. A chuckle slipped from his lips. He stifled the rest with a fist against his hand. “Do you need a minute?” he asked once he was able to speak without giggling.

“
SHIT
!” Jason’s curse is loud enough to hear through the door, along with laughter through the phone. “I’ll be right there! Just give me five minutes.”

Roy nodded and stepped back, leaning against the wall opposite to the door, sending out a few texts to the group chat because they continued to ask what was going on. True enough to his word, Dick is out with Wally, or at least distracted enough that he isn’t bombarded with threats before the five minutes are up. Jason steps out as he shoves his phone into his jacket pocket. He’s wearing a light brown shirt and black jeans, ripped at the knees, paired with a red zip-up hoodie he’s seen wearing around. HIs hair sits in fluffy dark brown curls, with a few strands that curl down into his face dyed a bright white color.

“Hey, sorry about that. I lost track of time.” Jason shoves his hands in pockets, and Roy notices a black, thin, leather band around his left wrist.

“No problem, Jaybird. Ready to go?” he asked.

He wanted to reach for Jason’s hand. Instead he shoved his hands into his pockets, thinking it would be too much, that it would make Jason close off. Jason must have been able to read him, or maybe he just wanted Roy to lead him to his car, because he’s moving over to take the redhead’s hand from his pocket.

“Let’s go.” Jason smiles as he laces their fingers together.

Chat: Idiot Support Group

Space Girl
: Donna please tell me you convinced Roy not to wear that stupid hat to the date

NotThisShitAgain
: fuck you it’s not stupid

NotThisShitAgain
: also im going to die

FastestManAlive
: i’m gonna add Dick. he said he’d behave.

FastestMan Alive
: he also gave me puppy eyes and i can’t say no to those

PhotoshopPirate
: That will last not even five minutes.

FastestManAlive

added

Dick Grayson

to the chat

Dick Grayson

changed his name to

Goldie

Goldie
: BITCH

[
Goldie
is typing]

FastestManAlive
has muted
Goldie
for three hours.

FastestManAlive:
why! you said you’d behave!

PhotoshopPirate
: Still quick on the draw, Wally.

PhotoshopPirate
: It’s in his car. We can only hope that Jason doesn’t think it’s as stupid as the rest of us.

NotThisShitAgain
: oh he sounds so nervous

FastestManAlive
: ROY IF YOU AJLAHLDKAJKAKLJDA

Space Girl
has muted
FastestManAlive
for three hours.

Space Girl
: I am assuming that was Dick stealing Walls phone so we’ll also mute him for safe measure lol

Mermaid
: I can hear them bitching at each other through the walls. Have fun on your date, Roy!

NotThisShitAgain
: … thanks

Space Girl
: send us details later

PhotoshopPirate
: Send us pictures if he’s okay with it 🙂

The group chat was right. Jason does hate the hat.

The movie Roy picked is some mindless action movie, but they’re not really watching for the plot at this point. It sucks, but the car chase scene was pretty fun. Jason’s holding Roy’s hand for most of the movie, only breaking away when their hands get sweaty. Roy catches glances of Jason, his face lit from the light coming off the movie screen, lighting the both of them in various shades. Sometimes he catches Jason looking at him, his eyes darting away once he realizes the redhead is looking back at him. Sometimes their hands accidentally touch when they both reach for the bucket of popcorn they share.

The climax of the movie, Roy decided it was time to make some kind of move. Most of his nerves had settled at this point. He ever so carefully slid his arm around Jason’s shoulder, unconsciously smiling when Jason untenses and leans into his touch, letting Roy pull him a bit closer. “Hm, if you think you’re gonna kiss me, then do it.” he hummed softly.

So much for subtly. Jason probably could read people as well as books. Though he did have one more trick up his sleeve.

Roy turned his head and leaned down, almost meeting Jason’s lips. They’re so close, just right there, but he doesn’t make a move yet, just lingering for a beat.

“Do you want me to kiss you?”

Jason answers by letting out a scoff, then pressing his lips to Roy’s. He basically thought about kissing Jason for the past week, so he easily melts into it, his eyes slipping shut. He can feel Jason’s thumb brush against his cheekbone before Roy pulls back and breaks the kiss.

Roy’s cheeks are as red as his hair, his heart his hammering in his chest. Jason is still for a moment before giving him a small smile. That smile he wants to see again, and if kissing him is what brings it out, he’d gladly do it again.

Roy smiles back. They linger like this for one second, then another, then they pull away to finish watching the movie.

The drive back to the dorm filled with conversation about the movie with Muse quietly playing in the background. They’re not sure exactly what the plot was about, the movie was too convoluted for both their tastes. They’re no movie critics, but they know a bad plot when they see one.

Jason doesn’t hold his hand as they walk down the hall dorm, but Jason walks close by, brushing his hand against his every so often. They make it to Roy’s room, his door holding a whiteboard for him to write if he’s in or out, and busy or free. It currently says that he’s out, a note left (from Wally, since it looks like his chicken scratch.) He opens his door and holds a finger out.

“I’ll be back. Just want to return your book.” Roy says, hand reaching for the door handle.

“Is that all you want to do?” Jason’s eyes look Roy up and down, his hands anxiously moving into his hoodie pocket.

The archers almost shoot to his hairline. “Eager, huh?” he teases, “Maybe next time?”

“Next time?” Jason tilts his head quizzically. Guess Jason didn’t think there would be a next date. Unless…

“Do you want another date?”

Jason’s eyes went wide, his cheeks flush bright red along with his ears, his shoulders tense fora moment before relaxing. “Yes. I do, but let’s not see a shitty movie next time?”

“Sure.” Roy offers. “Let me get that book for you.”

Roy steps in and grabs the book from his night stand, coming back with it in hand. “No dog ears or anything. Dick said you’d kill me if I did that.”

“I would have. Thanks.” He says as he takes the hardback from his hands. “What did you think?”

“I felt bad for Mercédès.” Roy admits.

Jason nods, giving a soft smile. “Dantès' finance? Why?”

“She loved him through everything, but he was so obsessed with his revenge and she couldn’t see he’d completely changed.” Roy answers.

"You think he cared more about vengeance than about her? That certainly is one way to read it." Jason leans against the door frame as he speaks, crossing his arms over his chest.

"And how did

you

read that, Jay?”

“Well,” Jason looks pleasantly surprised, and very happy to share his opinion, “you right. Dantès changed a lot, and I think he knows that. But, he also knows that they are no longer right for one another. If they were to try and work things out, it would crash and burn in a fiery mess. Haydée is more suited for him narratively. They both went through hardships, both were prisoners. Though it is weird since she’s half his age.”

“Don’t they deserve the chance to try?” Roy asked.

And Jason lets out a soft chuckle. “Something of a romantic, Harper?”

Roy shrugs. “Guilty as charged, Jaybird.”

“Kiss me goodnight then, if you’re such a romantic.”

Roy can’t say no to a cute face and a teasing voice so easily. He pulls Jason into his arms and presses his lips to his, the kiss just as amazing as their first. They both pull away, and Jason looks breathless, his eyes fluttering open, his lips slightly parted.

Roy is the first to speak. “Goodnight, Jaybird.”

Jason cracks a smile. “Goodnight, Roy.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chat: Idiot Support Group

Space Girl
: Roy

Space Girl
: ROY

Space Girl
: @
NotThisShitAgain

PhotoshopPirate
: @
NotThisShitAgain
it’s been a whole night and morning since we have heard from you. If you don’t respond, I’m assuming you’ve been murdered by Jason.

NotThisShitAgain
: not dead

NotThisShitAgain
: cant a guy sleep in

FastestManAlive
: cross country practice is finished early. coach didn’t want us dying of heatstroke.

FastestManAlive
:how did your date go?

PhotoshopPirate
: Did he hate the hat?

NotThisShitAgain
: … he said it’s cool to tell you guys so

NotThisShitAgain
: he hated the hat

NotThisShitAgain
: he called it dumb to my face

NotThisShitAgain
: TO MY FACE

Space Girl
: thank god. he has taste

Mermaid
: for real. it’s still everyone against Roy and his ugly raccoon hat.

NotThisShitAgain
: the raccoon is adorable fuck you guys

NotThatShitAgain
: but he’s forgiven because he’s to hot for words

Goldie
: 😠

Space Girl
: this is a good reminder for Roy that Dick is also in this group now

NotThisShitAgain
: we didnt kick him out after he threatened to kill me with emojis?

Mermaid
: HE DID WHAT?

Mermaid
: 😂😂

FastestManAlive
: he has rules to follow or I’ll kick him out.

NotThisShitAgain
: … great

NotThisShitAgain
: anyways we saw some shitty action flick total snooze fest

NotThisShitAgain
: we kissed and i will spare the details so i dont die

[
Goldie
is typing]

FastestManAlive
: @Goldie behave

Goldie
: i wasn’t going say anything

FastestManAlive
: right

Mermaid
: sure 🙄

Goldie
: i wasn’t!

NotThisShitAgain
: can I get back to the story?

NotThisShitAgain
: we go back to my room

Goldie
: Roy Harper

NotThisShitAgain
: i did not sleep with your brother

NotThisShitAgain
: this time

NotThisShitAgain
: that was a joke but i’m sorry and yes Dick i know you will blend up my balls and force feed them to me if i dare sleep with Jason

Mermaid
: jesus Dick what did you text him?

NotThisShitAgain
: anyways we go back to my room i give him his book back we talk a bit and he tells me to kiss him again so i did

NotThisShitAgain
: and I have another date with him

Space Girl
: WHEN?

NotThisShitAgain
: still working that out but he did say he wanted another date

PhotoshopPirate
: fork over the cash Dick

Goldie
: to clarify, I only said he wouldn’t go another date bc he’s MY BROTHER and I might have been praying on Roy’s downfall

NotThisShitAgain
: ouch

Goldie
: I’ll venmo it to you.

Goldie
: AND YOU DON’T GET TO BE OFFENDED WHEN YOU BROKE THE FIRST RULE OF BRO CODE

NotThisShitAgain
: did bro code account for the fling we had over the summer?

FastestManAlive
: probaby but this is Dick Grayson, my beautiful boyfriend, and he gets to break the rules of bro code and it’s fine

Goldie
: not true 😒

FastestManAlive
: but I like you still ❤️❤️❤️

Space Girl
: gross, flirt on your own group chat

Space Girl
: so when do we get to meet him?

Goldie
: you guys would eat him alive. he’s painfully shy.

FastestManAlive
: we would not!

NotThisShitAgain
: i’ll ask

Chat:

||

Star Crossed Lovers

||

Juliet
: I know you two have questions.

By Any Other Name
: us? questions? never.

Midsummer Night Dreamy
: don’t group me into this, Rose. whatcha two

lovebirds

get up to?

Juliet
: We are

not

lovebirds.

Juliet
: Give me a second. Roy is texting.

By Any Other Name
: ooooooo

Juliet
: Oh my god! Shush!

Juliet
: He asked if he could tell his friends about the date.

Juliet
: I said yes.

Midsummer Night Dreamy
: in love already?

By Any Other Name
: so head over heels Jay

Juliet
: I AM NOT!!!

Juliet
: Do you want to hear about the date or not?

Midsummer Night Dreamy
: yes! paint us a picture with your words, lit nerd

Juliet
: … Funny, Eddie. Like you aren’t a nerd either.

Juliet
: To answer your question: he picks me up, Rose heard him.

By Any Other Name
: he sounded really cute. i didn’t see him tho cause Jason rolled his eyes and hung up when I asked.

Juliet
: Next time, maybe.

Juliet
: We get in the car. He puts this shitty hat on with what he tells me is a racoon on it. I told him it was awful, and he laughed and said “That’s what everyone keeps telling me.” His laugh is so…

Midsummer Night Dreamy
: is what? Dreamy?

Juliet
: No comment.

Juliet
: We saw some shitty movie that I want to never see again. He kissed me during it. He asked me before he did it too, which was sweet.

By Any Other Name
: i bet you turned completely red.

Juliet
: I won’t confirm or deny that. It was pretty dark there. He probably didn’t see.

Juliet
: Then he took me to his room to return the book he stole from me. We talked about it, and then I asked him to kiss me and he did.

Midsummer Night Dreamy
: well he must be a good kisser if your asking for more

By Any Other Name
: EDDIE BLOOMBURG, SO HELP ME GOD I WILL COME TO CALIFORNIA AND FIGHT YOU YOU CAN’T JUST SAY THAT SHIT

Midsummer Night Dreamy
: FLY OUT TO CALI AND FIGHT ME RIGHT NOW

Juliet
: Please do. I’m about to do homework. You two can argue by yourself because I’m muting this conversation.

It’s an unbearably hot Saturday. He’s sitting in his room, finishing up his homework for his English class, some worksheets with basic questions about the story they were supposed to read in their book. The dark brunette leaned against his twin sized bed as he mindlessly flipped through the short story they were assigned to read. It was about a woman who kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb, then cooks said murder weapon and feeds it to the police when they arrive to investigate.

The thought process behind sitting on the floor instead of the room-issued desk is because the temperature outside could fry eggs on the sidewalk. It’s nearly September and summer still feels like it’s in full swing. This shit should be happening in June, not now.

Jason’s interrupted by the familiar ping of Roy’s ringtone. He shuts the heavy textbook and sets it to the side, shoves the worksheet into his English binder, then takes his phone from his bed. He unconsciously smiled at the text sent.

DM: Jason Todd -> Roy Harper

Roy Harper
: what are you doing, handsome

Jason Todd
: Homework.

Roy Harper
: friends want to know what happened on the date

Jason Todd
: What for?

Roy Harper
: because they wanna know cause theyre nosey

Roy Harper
: they want to meet you too but you don’t have to if you don’t want to

Roy Harper
: i wont tell anything you don’t want me too

Jason Todd
: I feel like your friends would swarm me.

Jason Todd
: Tell them. I don’t mind. As long as I can tell my friends about our date. As for meeting them, I’ll think about sitting at your lunch table.

Roy Harper
: they would. they’d eat you alive

Jason Todd
: Glad you have so much faith in me.

Roy Harper
: is that sarcasm i detect

Roy Harper
: hey facetime me?

Jason Todd
: Why?

Roy Harper
: cause sometimes i like talking to faces

Roy Harper
: plz? don’t make me beg baby

The thought of Roy begging… No, no! He’s not going to imagine that! His face is already red at the suggestion his stupid brain has playing on loop. He blames it on the heat. The dormitory’s heating is on the fritz, and the only thing Jason has to keep himself cool is a fan sitting a few feet away from him on his floor. Jason is about to shove his head into the side of his shitty mattress before hearing his phone ping.

Roy Harper
: heat get to you, jaybird?

Jason Todd
: No, I’m fine. As fine as I can be in this hell-like heat.

Jason Todd
: I’ll call, give me a second.

Jason pulls himself together. He runs his fingers through the black and some white curls, takes a few seconds to get those stupid thoughts out of his head. His fingers hover over the call button on Roy’s contact, some hesitancy still on his part. It’s not that he doesn’t like Roy, it’s because he likes him a little too much. He finally does make the call, and the familiar dial tone as he waits with bated breath for Roy to pick up.

One ring… then a second…

The first thing Jason sees is a very shirtless Roy laying in his own dorm bed. That fiery red hair is tied back in a bun, keeping it off his neck as the blazing heat from the sun leaks into the dormitory. One hand rests behind Roy’s head, showing off a red inked tattoo on his bicep to the camera, one he saw before when “browsing” through Roy’s instagram. It’s Navajo art. He remembers when he was younger Dick telling him about Roy an hour or so before he came over one time, about how he grew up on a reservation before Oliver Queen picked him up for being a damn good shot.

Roy breaks the seconds of silence between them. “Hey, Jaybird.” he smiles as he greets him.

“Are you shirtless?” Jason internally groans after opening his mouth.

Roy lets out a chuckle, his head tilting back and eyes slipping closed. Thankfully that meant he couldn’t see Jason blushing as red as Roy’s hair. “What an astute observation! Yes, I am. It’s 100 degrees outside and half the building's air conditioning doesn’t work, my dorm room being one of those places. Also I recently woke up. Practice was canceled because the air conditioning in the gym doesn’t work either, and the soccer team is using the field for practice.”

His voice is light, teasing him for his comment. Jason rolls his eyes and looks away at the phone, deciding to focus on the cover of the textbook he’d set aside moments earlier. “That sucks. I have a fan though. You could come over here.” he offered.

“As much as I would love too, I know you live right next to Dick, and I have a feeling he’d kill me the moment he sees me or hears me step into your room.” Roy answers.

“Well,” Jason shrugs, “ Good thing I could bring the fan to your room.”

And Roy smirks at that. Jason can see the ideas forming in the archer’s head about what they might get up to. “You got something planned for when you come over?”

Jason scoffed, his eyes rolling so hard they might just fall out. His cheeks do burn the slightest tint of red. “In your dreams, maybe.”

“Too much?” Roy asks. He’s teasing, but he can hear the soft hint of worry he might have pushed too far.

It’s a fair question to ask, considering they both barely know each other, but Jason doesn’t mind the teasing, as much as he makes him flustered. Jason shakes his head. “I’ve heard worse. I’ll live.”

“That’s not what I’m asking.” Roy’s expression changes, his eyes are serious, wanting an actual answer.

That makes Jason pause. He’s not used to people vocalizing concern about hurting him. His father wasn’t around, his step-mom was high on drugs half the time to care that her words hurt. Bruce wasn’t awful, but he hated the way he tiptoed around him like some broken bird. “I’m fine, Roy. I’d tell you if it wasn’t.” He answered. “I’m serious. If you want I can bring the fan. We can suffer the heat together.”

“I have a better plan actually.”

Roy’s plan is better, even if it is impromptu. The air smells like briny salt, it tastes like it too. It reminds him of the salt water taffy Talia used to get Damian and him when they were living out in Southern California. Though it's 100 degrees and there is a weather warning for people to stay indoors if possible, the boardwalk is still buzzing with people of all kinds. Children walking alongside their parents, some running off while their parents ask them to slow down. Jason can spot a few couples through the crowd, a few close knit friend groups with the same idea to head to Coney Island and hide in the shade, or even take a dip into the water.

Jason is barely dressed for the weather: black board shorts, a dark red tank top with matching red canvas shoes. His hair is already wet with sweat, white curls matting against his forehead until he pushes them back. The white almost mixes with the dark brown hair when he does, it’s almost reminiscent of black stone with white marbling. “It’s so fucking hot.” Jason groans as Roy takes his hand.

“I know. Let’s get you an ice cream cone or something so you can cool off.” Roy replies, chuckling as Jason laces their fingers and vaguely waves for him to lead the way.

Off they go, making their way through the gaps in the crowd, Roy ahead of him. His hair is still up in that bun, poking out from the back of the stupid hat. It looks almost like flickering campfire flames with the sun shining on what it can reach. At least it would keep the sun out of his eyes. Roy has freckles on his shoulders, something he can see with the black tank top he’s wearing. Despite the heat, the redhead had a small smile on his face. He looks pretty when he smiles, he always looks pretty, but especially when he smiles.

They stop in front of an ice cream stall, the line a little long, but it’s nothing they can’t manage. His eyes linger on Roy’s arms. His arm almost touches his, the two of them still close together, still holding hands. It’s way too hot to do so, but it feels nice too, it makes his skin buzz when he feels the brush of the archers calloused thumb, or when he lightly squeezes his hand. How did he get so lucky? How did Dick not snatch Roy up and hoard him like Smaug? His loss and now Jason’s gain. They get to the front of the line, and Jason gets a strawberry shake and Roy chooses peanut butter. Roy insists on paying, but hell if Jason wasn’t going to try and fight him on it. They both come with huge red straws sticking out of the clear plastic cups. Sitting in a nice picnic bench in the shade, they enjoy their drinks sitting next to each other.

“Hey,” Roy says, “got something on your nose.”

“What-” and before Jason can even say he didn’t, Roy scoops a little whip cream from his shake and smears it on his nose.

“Nice one, asshole!” Jason laughs, no bite with his words.

Roy manages to get a picture of Jason with whip cream on his nose before he can wipe it off with the back of his hand. The archer is sliding his phone back in his back before Jason is  making an attempt to get Roy back, putting a dollop of whip cream on nose. Roy’s laugh is bright like the sun on his back, it makes Jason’s heart flutter, to which he would never admit out loud… at least not yet. It’s also infectious, causing the younger man to break out into a soft snicker, his hand instantly coming up to cover his mouth. Once the two of them come down from laughter, Roy scoops the now melting whip and licks it off his fingers. “Karma’s a bitch, huh?” he teasingly asks.

“Oh, don’t I know it.” Jason leans his head on his hand, stirring the thick shake with the straw. He spends a few seconds watching Roy before a thought crosses his mind. “Is this a date?”

Roy is still for a second, then his eyes widen. “Do you not want it to be?”

“I didn’t say that.” Jason’s hand leaves the straw to find Roy’s. “It’s a date then. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t just ‘hanging out.’”

“That’s fair. I didn’t exactly say it was a date, did I?” Roy replied. “Wanna head down to the beach when we finish? Cool off a little more?”

Jason nodded after taking a sip of his shake. “Sounds like a good plan. I’m way too hot to function.”

“In more ways then one.” Roy grins as he leans a little closer.

Jason leans into him, “You think I’m hot?”

And Roy answers him with a kiss.

The shakes are finished and tossed into a recycling bin, and the boys are headed off to the beach. Their shoes are abandoned in their bags. The hot sand feels like it’s searing his soles, and curling his toes only digs the sand between them. Roy doesn’t seem to mind the hot coals-like terrain, because he’s charging off towards the water, his bag and tank top over his head and hitting the sandy ground in moments. Jason follows after him, grabbing Roy’s shirt and shoving it in his bag before pulling his own off and folding it before putting it away. He unconsciously crosses his arms over his chest.

He’s not usually self conscious about his body. It’s not like he doesn’t fit male beauty standards. He’s muscular, mostly from workout habits he’d picked up from when he was young, and being young helps with eating whatever he wants and having a good looking body. He’s nothing like Roy though. Visible abs and defined muscles from doing more then just archery. He’s a little insecure, but Roy’s mid-calf deep and waiting on him, calling his name and waving for him to follow. It breaks that insecurity. He lays the towel he brought before leaving their bags there and meeting up with him.

The water is cold and crisp, lapping around his skin. It feels wonderful in this weather, Jason kind of wants to fall into the water and cool off completely. It would hide him pretty well too. It’s hard to see someone’s body in the water. He contemplates the idea of wading in further when Roy’s arms are wrapping around his waist. “Hey, wait a second-” he said, stepping back a bit but still holding him, his eyes over his body.

He’s checking him out, it’s obvious and it’s making Jason more flushed then he already is with the sun beating down on them. Jason playfully shoves him to get his attention off him. “If you want to check me out, can you do it when I’m cooled off?”

“What? Sorry, is it making you uncomfortable?” He asked. Those same eyes are on him, the ones when he asked if he was okay with that joke on the phone.

“It’s fine. ‘Just you’re more hot then me.” Jason vaguely gestures to Roy’s abs.

Roy rolls his eyes as he lets Jason’s waist go, opting to lead Jason further in by taking his hand. “It’s not a competition. If it was, you’d be winning, mister handsome and broody.” They’re now knee deep, the chill of the water making Jason shiver. “Did you not catch me staring at you reading in the library during your free period? Nerdy, hot, but could probably still kick my ass. You check all the boxes, you know?”

The water is now thigh high. Jason rolled his eyes. “You say that when you have the body of a god?” He splashes water on Roy’s chest, causing the boy to gasp involuntarily from the temperature.

“Did you splash me? Oh, it’s on!” Roy splashes him back, getting water all over Jason’s front. His body shutters as the cold droplets hit his skin, feeling like soothing icicles pricking his skin.

Jason pushes Roy into the water, the redhead falling back on his ass, bracing himself with his hands. Half of his hair is out of the hair tie, turning darker as the water soaks it. Roy is fast on his retaliation. He snatches his date’s wrist and pulls him down, Jason landing half on Roy’s lap. Jason scrunches his nose and splashes Roy in his face as a retaliation, and a way to hide the embarrassing way his stomach flips. The archer just laughs and splashes back, soaking Jason’s hair, the white curls now helplessly sticking to his forehead. Some people have eyes on them, but the moment Roy’s arms snake around him, Jason completely forgets they are there. Guess he ended up falling into the water like he wanted eventually.

They only linger like this for barely a minute, both laughing and half heartedly splashing one another, but Jason swears it feels like moments before he slides off Roy and stands up, offering him a hand to help him back on his feet.

They spend almost the whole day on the boardwalk, mostly on the beach, soaking in the rays and wading in the sea water. The one bustling and crowded beach now sparse of human life. They smell like the ocean. Jason can see the star of sun damage on Roy’s shoulders, cheeks, and his nose. The boys sit back on their beach towels, the burning heat subsided, the now setting sun causing reds, oranges, and purples to fill the sky. Jason’s pinky wraps around Roy’s, the redhead takes that as a sign to take his hand, lacing their fingers together perfectly like a puzzle piece.

“We should head home soon.” Jason said quietly, yet he makes no attempt at pulling away. “Dick probably messaged the hell out of me. I forgot to tell him I was going out.”

Jason didn’t. He consciously made the choice to not tell his brother he was heading out to go on another date with Roy. He’d probably ask too many questions that Jason doesn’t have energy to answer. Dick is probably still pretending he’s not pissed at him for stealing his best friend, ex, or whatever Roy is to him.

“You have to tell Dick when you’re going out?” Roy asked. “He really is your parole officer.”

Jason shrugs. “It’s a part of the deal. Bruce said I could come here as long as Dick kept an eye on me.” he answered. “It’s not too many rules. Just have to do my homework, let Dick know i’m going somewhere, and check in with him every so often. Lot easier then living in the manor with Bruce and my annoying brother and Tim.”

Roy nods at that. “You make it sound like hell, livin’ in a cushie manor.”

Jason scoffs. “It’s not that I’m ungrateful, “ he clarifies, “Bruce did take me in. I mean, I stole the tires on his car and got caught because I couldn’t just be happy with three tires-”

“Woah, woah, woah… you

stole

Bruce Wayne’s tires?” Roy interrupts. “You got balls, Jaybird.”

“Yeah, and I was eleven years old, almost twelve. It was… maybe almost a year months after my mom died. So I was on the streets for a bit, and I learned to steal pretty quickly. Pickpocketing, stealing food from stores, selling stolen tires from cars. Then I got caught and Bruce thought I was adorable or something ‘cause a week after getting put in an orphanage, Bruce was taking me in. I’m just not used to all the attention, especially when it makes me feel like a charity case.”

“I get that.” Roy takes a moment to let it sink in before replying. “My dad died when I was 2, saving people from a forest fire, and a Navajo native took me in. My adoptive dad taught me to shoot. I was a natural, or so he said. I even impressed Oliver Queen at a torment. I still am. Then when I was 11, I found out that he was sick- really sick- and when he died, Oliver Queen came in and started to foster me.” He answered. “And I mean, Ollie’s rich, but he’s not Bruce Wayne levels of rich.”

Jason squeezed Roy’s hand. He never heard this story from Dick, at least not the whole story. It wasn’t his to tell anyways, and it felt better hearing it from his mouth then from rumors or other people’s mouths. Still, Roy shouldn’t feel like he needs to share everything about himself if he doesn’t want to. “I’m sorry, Roy. I didn’t mean to bring any hard feelings up-”

“Why are you sorry? It’s okay. I mean, it hurts to think about losing him and everything, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.” The archer assures, squeezing Jason’s hand back. “I’m just saying I understand feeling out of place, that’s all.”

Jason nodded. “Yeah, well… You know Bruce hates Oliver’s guts, right?” he asked, trying to break the serious undertone of the conversation.

Roy howled, laughing so hard that he fell onto his back, his free hand coming up to stifle them. When he’s finally able to breathe, he responds. “It’s more of a high school rivalry they never got over, or at least that’s how I interpreted it.”

“Do you think he’d be pissed you’re dating the Wayne's delinquent son?” He looks away as he asks, focusing on the colors in the sky blending together. This sunset was like a perfect painting with the way the colors blended so well in the sky.

“I don’t know and I don’t care.” He answered. “Would Bruce?”

“I don’t know, and I

definitely

don’t care.”

Roy moved a hand to Jason’s chin, gently guiding him to look at him. “Then why does it matter? We shouldn’t care what people think, as long as we’re happy, right?”

Jason can barely breath, his heart his beating so fast, his head feels fuzzy from the touch. “Yeah.” he whispers breathlessly.

It feels like an arrow flying in slow motion. It crosses half the distance, or even half of half of the distance- and then Roy’s lips are on his. Jason’s melting, kissing him back. They kiss like it’s the answer to a question, Jason’s hands grasping Roy’s waist for support. It’s perfect and sweet, the sunset is a ridiculously romantic background for it.

And it’s the best kiss he’s had from Roy so far.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The school bell rings through the hallways, trickling into the classroom. The students buzz in excitement, some start packing their things as they stand up. They’re all antsy to bum-rush the door and flood into the hallway. The teacher attempts a “the bell doesn’t dismiss you” trick, but two students already are heading out the door. The rest follow after the two, students almost running out the door one by one, Jason one of the last out of the door, shrugging his bag over his shoulder, merging into the crowd of students iching to get out.Jason heads towards the large cafeteria that’s thankfully across from the building that contained most of his junior year classes. It’s his lunch period. It’s also Roy’s, which means he’ll be sitting with his friends. The friends that would “eat him alive.” Like he was scared.Scared wasn’t quite the word. Dick had always described him as shy, and while that wasn’t wrong, it wasn’t like he was Emily Dickinson levels of recluse like his brother joked about him being. Jason didn’t grow up in a normal environment, his father was not a good person, to say the least. His mother was an addict and needed help. He ended up living in Gotham streets when his father was incarcerated and his mother overdosed, then he was scooped up by some one percent-er man who wanted to give him a better life. While he did, Jason wasn’t so easy to give up on his old habits like sneaking out at night and letting trouble find him. He was also introverted. He had friends, but it was a small circle. He’d hang out with his siblings and family friends when he felt up to it, but he’d rather curl up in a nice quiet part of his room, maybe even the library in Wayne manor and lose himself in a novel.Stepping inside, Jason looked towards the table where Roy sat with his friends. Dick, Wally, and the couple must be eating lunch somewhere else, since they weren’t already sitting there as usual. Roy started to sit next to a bright looking girl with a varsity jacket and flame red hair all the way down to the small of her back. Instead, a dark haired girl sits across from them, a shawl over her shoulder to protect her shoulders from the fall chill that was starting to creep in. He recognized her, Donna is her name. Her mother Diana was one of Bruce’s friends who took the girl in as a daughter. (He remembers having a stupid crush on her mom, something so bad Dick made fun of him by quietly and terribly singing “Stacey’s Mom” after she’d walk by and Jason spent a little too long looking at her.) “Maybe you should try mingling in with the kids at school?” Quin’s words echoed in his mind when he saw the lunch table, “This guy you're seeing, why don’t you sit with him at lunch, get to know his friends.” Dr. Haley Quinzel knew almost everything at this point. She was the only therapist he could actually talk to, and he went through a few through his court mandated therapy. As much as protested at first, how much he said he was “ fine” and “didn’t need to talk to anyone about his issues”, it did help to have someone to vent too. Only thing is that he felt bad for dumping all his problems on her. Even if it was her job, it couldn’t be fun to listen to a teenager explain why he has so called “abandonment issues.”After taking his pick of today’s lunch, he takes a deep breath, and walks towards the table. What could go wrong? Dick wasn’t here to tease him until he was red in the face. He could handle meeting some of Jason’s friends, it wouldn’t kill him to get to know them. They’ve been “seeing” each other for almost a month, and Roy might actually appreciate the effort whether it goes poorly or not.
***
Roy slides into his seat next to Kory, a tray filled with what he wanted from lunch today. He could always go out and get lunch off campus with it being Friday. Being a senior gave him that pass, but he knew Wally and Dick were out, and Raven and Gar were studying in the library for their lunch (because Gar wanted to cram for an English test the hour before his class.) As much as Kory and Donna assured Roy he was fine to go out for lunch, he wanted to sit with his friends.“How are my two favorite ladies doing?” Roy asks, earning a snicker and a light jab from Kory. “It’s nice to see you too, Roy.” Donna greeted, waving a hand to him as she attempted to stifle her laugh.“Oh don’t look now, but I think your boyfriend is coming over.” Kory said as she looked down at her tray.“My- what?” Roy wasn’t official with Jason, nor did he think he would actually sit with his friends. Well, it’s just the three of them, so maybe he wasn’t intimidated as he was before…His train of thought is detailed the moment Jason sits next to him, his tray quietly thumping against the table. Blue eyes scan his two friends before settling on Roy. “Hey.” Jason’s voice is hushed, his hands nervously picked at jeans.Dick was right, he was painfully shy.He wrapped around his shoulder, Jason blushing at the public display of affection. “Hey, baby,” Roy smiles, “You don’t usually sit with us.”Jason is quick to distract. “Did you call me baby?”“Yeah. Is that okay?” Roy ever so slightly cocks his head.“Yeah. I like it.” Jason barely whispers that last part. The moment is ruined surprisingly by Donna, who is the first to speak. “Are you going to introduce us, or do we have to suffer with your coupleness for the rest of lunch?” “Speak for yourself! They’re adorable.” Kory chimes in, her smiling just as blinding as it is teasing.Jason looks like a spooked cat. His eyes are wide and he swears he can see the curly hair on the back of his neck stand on edge. Flush creeps up across the bridge of his nose, as well as the tips of his ears. If it wouldn’t make Jason even more embarrassed about being called out, he’d kiss those near blood red cheeks. Thankfully Jason makes the first move to duck and hide in Roy’s shoulder, and he rubs circles in Jay’s back to comfort him. “This was a mistake .” Jason mutters into his shirt, loud enough for Roy to hear.“You’re trying, and I told you they’d eat you alive.” Roy reminds him.When Jason can bear to look at them all, Kory takes the chance for an introduction. “Hi, I’m Kory. You’re adorable.”“Jason.” He looks like he is physically willing himself not to hide again, but he’s blushing again at the sudden and bold compliment. “ ‘m not pretty…” he mutters.“Bullshit. You’re very pretty, Jaybird.” Roy hums.“Jaybird?” Kory coos at the pet name.“I told you not to call me that…” He huffs as he pushes at his shoulder.Though he might put up a little front now, Roy knows that Jason loves being called Jaybird, at least by him. The way his eyes light up a bit at the name tells it all. Still, he can hold it back if he doesn’t want the others to hear the nickname. He has many others to call him. “Oops. I must have forgotten.” Donna playfully rolls her eyes at the two. “I believe we met before. I’m Donna Troy, if you remember?”Jason nods. “Yeah, I remember. You always hung around Dick, who liked to almost relentlessly pick on me sometimes.”“And you liked to pick fights with him sometimes. At least when you first started to settle in.” She remembers. “You also read a lot. If you’d needed to find him, chances are he was right in the library.”Roy could imagine it, especially with the handfuls of times he actually met Jason. He could see a 12 year old Jason trying to get into it with his brother, saying things to spark a confrontation, Dick easily dodging them like the gymnast he is, Jason’s clearly frustrated look. He understood all too well about feeling out of place, he couldn’t imagine being the second kid taken in. Roy also could see Jason hiding away in that huge library in that huge house. He’d probably fall asleep in a pile of books, waking up when Alfred, Bruce, or even Dick came in to take him to bed.Roy leans  his head on his hand. “So you always were a book nerd, huh?”“Don’t pretend you're not a nerd as well.” Kory says.Then the whole table bursts into laughter.Lunch is actually nice. Jason seems to get along well with Kory and Donna both. Jason is able to handle the prodding and teasing, as well as the questions, though Donna is a little easier with the questions, probably from knowing the guy since he came into the Wayne household. Jason definitely can take what he dishes out. The two of them also seem to like him as well, if they didn’t, they would not speak to him like this. It would be more reading then anything else. “He’s so cute, really. Such a shame I can’t share him with you Roy.”“What?” Jason’s beet red, his eyes are wide. Though he knows it’s teasing, he turns to Roy all the same, “I- uh, share me?”“Nope, no. Jason is all mine.” Roy pulled him into his arms in mock protection, and Jason eased a bit.Donna pulls that train off that track. “Are you going to be Roy’s plus one to the homecoming party this friday?” She ask“Party?” Jason looks to the redhead again for clarity.“Oh, yeah, I was gonna ask.” Roy says.“It’s not that big.” Donna adds. “It isn’t like the whole school will be there. Mostly just the senior class, along with a few of the stragglers we’ve picked up like Vic and Gar.”“My older sister will be out of town for the whole week, so we’ll absolutely have a fun time.” Kory answered. “If Roy wants you there, you’re invited.”“I don’t know…” Jason looks up at Roy, who is currently trying to get a yes with a cute smile and silently pleading eyes.“Don’t make me go alone, baby .” Roy gently takes Jason’s hands. “I’ll be so bored without you.”“No! Not that face, not those eyes-” Jason turns his head to try and look away, but that sweet sounding baby draws him back in. “That’s not fair, and you know it.”Roy doesn’t let up, only lacing their fingers and squeezing his hand. “Okay, I won’t be alone. I won’t be totally bored, but I’ll bug you the entire night, and you'll miss out on your brother being an embarrassing drunk.” Between sweetening the deal by offering black mail on his older brother, and those eyes only work to chip at Jason’s resolve, and eventually Jason groans, “Fine, I’ll go with you, but we are not crashing there. I finally get the chance to have you in my dorm for a change, without Dick coming in to bother us.”Roy beams. “You won’t regret it! I swear.” 
Chat: || Teen Titans ||
Coriander: guess who was the first to meet Roy’s boyfriend @everyone 
Speedster: what?
Outlaw : not my boyfriend yet
Outlaw : idk if he wants that
Outlaw: and yeah can confirm he was beet red when Kory asked if she could share him with me
Dick’s Sporting Goods: WHAT
8th Wonder : OMG, he looked at Roy when that happened and you just shrugged.
8th Wonder: Dick, Kory would knock you on your ass. Don’t even try.
Outlaw: hey so could i!
Coriander : on a good day, maybe
Coriander: and he’s gonna be Roy’s date for our party.
Disney Princess: So that means we all get to meet him then?
VideoGameBoy: is that a good idea? dont people on parole have a curfew or something?
Dick’s Sporting Goods : did we all forget when I said he’s shy as hell. he’ll probably be a wallflower for most of the party.
Dick’s Sporting Goods : no, as long as he’s inside he’s fine. it's not like he has an ankle monitor or anything.
Dick’s Sporting Goods: and he’s also still not your boyfriend yet @Outlaw ?
Outlaw: no comment
Dick’s Sporting Goods: Roy “I fall headfirst into relationships without even questioning it” Harper actually taking it slow? never thought i’d see the day.
Speedster: ooo
Disney Princess: HA
VideoGameBoy: 🤣🤣🤣
Outlaw : WOW rude
Outlaw: i listen sometimes i just dont wanna scare him away okay
Motherboard: haven’t you two seen each other for almost a month? he’s still around, seems pretty clear to me 🤷🏿
VideoGameBoy : they have?
VideoGameBoy: you still haven’t asked him yet?
Dick’s Sporting Goods : literally he smiles a little when you text him, he has that picture of you and him on the beach as his background.
Dick’s Sporting Goods : also if you don't do it before or during the party, I’ll fight you, deadass.
Dick’s Sporting Goods: we’ll see if you can knock me on my ass then.
Outlaw: … i’ll ask but if it goes badly i’m blaming it on you praying on my downfall
Dick’s Sporting Goods: good 😀
Speedster: i can feel the threatening aura of that emoji from my floor.

Jason feels he’s going to stick out like a sore thumb, especially next to Roy. Roy was so funny and charming, and he just feels like he’s dragging him down. Not that Jason couldn’t be charming. He spent too many years at Wayne Gala’s, too much time around Dick when he feels sociable, and too many hours with the Wayne publicist discussing why he can’t just post what he wants. He knows what to say if people talk to him, it’s just he would rather

not

talk to anyone.

It’s not a Gala though, he knows that. It’s a homecoming party, a house party, there are no reporters looking to tear him apart with endless questions about everything. It’s just kids his age wanting to drink and have fun. He’s been to parties like this with Eddie, and though he was more of a wallflower then a social butterfly like his friend, he still had fun. And Jason wants to have fun with Roy, but half of him wants to be selfish and pull away from Roy and hide until the party is over. Maybe he might bring Roy up with him.

He promised he would go. Fuck it, it’s not going to be

that

bad.

Jason caught a ride with Dick, since Roy was going to be there to help set up, and Jason wasn’t going to show up that early. Dick had to be “fashionably late”, aka he had to drag Wally along, and the guy was apparently late for everything. The redhead’s phone blew up with texts from their group chat. Apparently their friends also knew how tardy Wally could be. And this is a guy who brags about having the fastest time.

As soon they stepped in, the place was filled with kids. Kory wasn’t kidding when they said they invited most of the senior class. There were a few juniors there, most notably a blonde girl with a high pony who sat in the back of his English class. Mia, he thinks her name is. Jason took a deep breath as he went to go find Roy. That’s who he came to see, it made sense for him to run to him first. He’d be a source of comfort if everything got too loud or annoying.

Maybe he should have waited, just maybe.

A raven haired woman in a green cardigan and tall, black heels was talking to Roy in the kitchen, a hand dragging against his shoulder.

They’re just friends

, he repeats over and over in his head. Even as she lingers a little too long, even as he hears her kind voice. Jealous burns in the pit of his stomach, stalling Jason’s steps.

“So, who is the lucky girl?” The woman in green asks.

Roy chuckles at that. The music is way too loud, or maybe it’s the blood boiling in his ears because he can’t make out heads or tails of what Roy is saying to her.

And she smiles at him, and it might be fond, but there might be an attraction there. It makes Jason grit his teeth. Roy smiles back as he speaks, he’s loose, hands shoved in his pockets. She’s interested by the way she slightly leans forward as he talks. She seems to smile wider, like a cat who is about to capture its prey in its jaws. Jason’s pretty sure Roy says something about her smile, she reciprocates with a faint blush, or Jason swears on it. (asked waiting for response on how to make this better)

A conversation from two girls who were standing nearby make it’s way to his ears. “Looks like she’s trying to get Roy back.”

“Wasn’t he seeing with that junior? The criminal?”

“Guess it wasn’t that serious if Roy is letting Jade flirt with him. She’s way more dangerous then that juvie kid who just reads in his spare time-”

At this point he’d seen and heard enough. He turned on his heels and walked out the way he came.

Too slow. He took way too long, and now some beautiful girl was making her move. Sure, Jason could come up and stake his claim, but that makes him come off controlling. Everyone would call him crazy, more then rumors and hushed voices already made him out to be. He didn’t want to prove all those assholes right. He shoves his hands in his hoodie, trying to act normal as he searches for Dick.

He spots him in a hall, talking to a younger boy, the freshman with green tips in his hair. He remembers Kory mentioning him, his name was Gar, if he remembered correctly. Another person was there too, with dark, extremely short hair wearing a red camo zip-up hoodie. He had no problem pulling him away from his conversation.

“I want to go home.” he said quietly once they were in a somewhat quiet area.

“What? You just got here?” Dick quickly picked up on Jason’s distressed body language soon after. “What happened?”

“Nothing, Dickface.” He muttered.

“What did that asshole do? I swear to god-”

“Nothing happened! Just take me home,” Jason huffed, “or I’ll steal your keys and leave you and your stupid boyfriend stranded.”

It’s not just the threat that has Dick leading Jason out the door. Wally notices, but Dick assures him that Jason’s just feeling sick and he’s taking him to the dorms and he’ll be back right after. It’s clear the redhead knows that’s a lie, he can tell by the way he looks to where Roy, then to Jason. He nods instead of calling his boyfriend out on the white lie. Guess Wally wasn’t so bad after all, so long as he can keep his mouth shut.

As soon as the car door closes, Dick is the first to speak. “What happened, Jason?”

Jason kicked some trash on the floorboard. “Some girl was talking to him. She was clearly flirting with him.”

“Was Roy flirting back?” Dick’s voice is laced with concern as he glances over at him.

Dick didn’t assume anything, even though it was his best friend, even though he probably knew him way better then Jason currently did. It should have been comforting, instead it made him curl into himself. “I don’t know. He seemed pretty into it. I couldn’t hear them.”

His brother’s fingers grip on the steering wheel briefly tightened. “I’m going to kill him.”

“Don’t…” Jason let out a small sigh. “It’s my fault. I should have asked him to be my boyfriend weeks ago. This is what I get for being cautious.”

“Jay, no,” Dick shook his head, caring concern embedded deep in his voice, “that’s not what happens. Roy just… he falls headfirst into things when it comes to partners. Hell, he did that with Kory, and Donna, and Jade too.”

“Jade…” It takes a moment before it clicks in his mind. That’s the name the girls said before he’d walked off. “That’s who that was. He dated her before?”

Dick’s eyes widened. “Oh, shit, little wing… I’m sorry.”

They pulled into the dorm parking lot after several, way too long moments of silence. Jason barely lets Dick stop the car and put it into park before he’s bolting out, ignoring his brother's calls to wait up. He says nothing as he scans his keycard at the door, nearly fumbling it from how bad his hands are shaking. It feels like ages until the elevator drops him off on his floor, but finally he’s able to walk into his room and shut the door behind him.

Once he’s alone, he finds himself crying into a pillow, hating that he’s allowed himself to cry over this stupid boy who clearly was bored of him.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Jason was feeling ill, that’s all. Nothing happened, and even if it did, it doesn’t concern Wally. He’s not a part of that relationship, he’s only been watching from the outside. He has no proof that nothing happened, other then Jason’s dejected, kick puppy look that he tried to hide by staring at the floor. Then he saw Jade with Roy, and everything clicked.Wally now has to prevent a murder when Dick gets back. If Dick comes back. Great, just great.Why couldn’t homecoming be easy? Why did Jade have to show up? Who even invited her anyways? As much as he knows, Roy and Jade are exes with no clear interest in getting back together. Wally and Dick both were there for him when that break up came and went. Roy claimed he was going to die, as most of their friend group did when it came to break ups. Then they started to be friends again, and that was going well, even though Wally kind of thought she had secretive motives.Wally stepped out of the house for a bit once he had a drink in hand, sitting in the backyard and watching as Kory took a picture with Raven under the giant spanish moss tree that Kory had strung Christmas lights in. Garth stepped into the frame in the middle of them, wrapping his arms around both girls and giving the camera a big cheesy smile. Donna found herself dancing with one of the seniors in her class, a girl she’d taken an interest in. Vic and Gar were inside hanging out, last time he checked.He’s going to take it easy before everything goes to shit. Hopefully whatever drama would result from this wouldn’t fracture the friend group.Roy ended up joining him, Jade nowhere to be seen for the moment. “Hey, do you know what the hell this is about?” he asked his friend as he places his arm on his shoulder and holds out his phone for Wally to glance at.

DM: Roy Harper -> Dick Grayson

Dick Grayson : jade? again? really? Dick Grayson: if Jason didn’t want me to, i’d beat your ass.
Dick Grayson: ANSWER ME YOU DICK I KNOW YOUR READING THIS
Wally winced. Dick was fuming, Jason clearly was hurt over this. Fuck, he might as well throw Roy a line since he was rightfully clueless. “Jason saw you and Jade. Probably thought you two were hitting it off.”“What?” Roy furrowed his brow in further confusion. “I don’t understand… we weren’t… fuck, I’m gonna call him.”Wally waved his hand, gesturing for him to go. “I’d hold off for a second. Give him some time. He looked pretty dejected when I saw him. Like a kicked puppy.” That didn’t make Roy feel any better by the way his shoulders drooped. “I’ll keep Dick from decking on Monday, though.”“Thanks. Just try to keep this between us?” Roy answered. “Yeah, that’s a little too late” He nudged Roy’s ribs with an elbow before nodding his head to the group of people looking at Roy and whispering amongst themselves. “Don’t know who started the rumors, but by the time Monday rolls around everyone is going to think you and Jade are back together or something.”“She’s back in New York for a bit and wanted to say hi, so I thought it would be fine to have her come over for a bit.” Roy ran a hand through his hair. “She stole my hat again. I’m not getting that back for a good bit.”“Well it was shit anyways.” Wally mused.“Jade likes that hat.” Roy fondly rolled his eyes. He’s used to the drags over his hat.“She likes you, Roy. Always has, always will.” Wally shrugged at that. “She’s-”Wally and Roy both turn to see Jade walking. She looked slightly off, probably because she heard the rumors as well. Good to know she wasn’t actually trying to get him back… for now.  “Right there, apparently. Probably heard everything herself.”“Can you take me home, Roy? People are acting weird.” She said, putting Roy’s hat back on his head. “They say we’re together again. I hope your boyfriend didn't hear.”“He already did. Dick is pissed as hell, so I need to dodge his fury before he comes back.” Roy explained. “I’ll wait by your car then. I’ll keep an eye out for an angry gymnast.” Jade teased. Her face turned serious for a brief moment. “I shouldn’t have come. The people here suck. No offense, Wally.”“Half offense taken.” Wally says under his breath, then takes a sip of his drink as daggers glare pierce his soul.“I wanted you here. It’s my fault you have to deal with this.” He turned to Wally. “I’m gonna take her home. Fuck, Monday will be a shit show.” Roy drags a hand over his face.Wally nods. This was going to be a long weekend, and maybe even a longer week ahead.

DM: Roy Harper -> Jade Nguygen

Jade Nguygen: Your boyfriend is still being sensitive?
Roy Harper: jade
Jade Nguygen: 🤷🏻‍♀️
Roy Harper : he’s not answering me Roy Harper: dick wont answer either
Jade Nguygen : Sounds like his loss, Roy Jade Nguygen: You care about him, don’t you?
Roy Harper: yeah i care a lot 
Jade Nguygen: Go speak to him. He can ignore a text or call. It’s harder to ignore someone in person.
Roy Harper: is that not weird
Jade Nguygen : If you force him to get back with you, but you need to get your side out there because all he knows are half-baked rumors. Jade Nguygen: After he hears you out and he still wants to be pissy, then he wasn’t worth your time.
Roy Harper : yeah thats a lot easier said then done Roy Harper: i’ll try thats all i can do
Jade Nguygen: I do hope things work out. I’m here if they do or don’t.

DM: Jason Todd -> Dick Grayson

Little Wing: Come sit with me at lunch.
Big Bird: are you okay?
Little Wing : Yeah. Little Wing: Just don’t want to be alone
Big Bird: yeah of course.
Little Wing: None of those shitty puns.
Big Bird: none? what would shakespeare think?
Little Wing: That your comedy needs work.
Big Bird : 😦😭 Big Bird: my puns are very punny!
Little Wing: I’m sure they are. Now get to the library when you can. I’m in the fiction section.
Jason didn’t get lunch from how sick the idea made him feel. He didn’t even want to step into that lunchroom today. He’d heard the rumors that Jade Ngyugen stole Roy in front of him, that Roy took Jade home, that they were getting back together. Instead, he headed straight to the library after class, his hood over his head. He nestled himself into his favorite spot, a spot in the corner between the mystery and the fiction, privacy given by thick, wooden bookshelves packed with books from a to z. It’s not one many go to since there wasn’t much space, just a small, circular, blue rug with velvety covered bean bags to sit in. He slumped into a bean bag, tucking his legs towards his chest. His hood fell off his head, hair curly and messy, like he barely ran his fingers through it before heading out the door. His hands dumbly ran across the soft, velvet feeling material. He liked the way it felt between his fingers, in his hands. It reminded him of a stuffed animal Dick gave him when he heard him having nightmares. It was a soothing reminder, one of better times then today.Though he wasn’t lost in comfort. The junior perked up when he heard footsteps heading this way. He prepared for it to be that way too positive librarian, maybe one of Roy’s friends, or worst of all Roy himself. The first thing he noticed was Dick’s well worn Adidas backpack, the front covered in pins, mostly puns that Dick just found hilarious, a pronoun pin or two, and subtle bisexal color art ones.“You look like shit.” Dick pointed out.And Jason did. He barely slept the last three days. He was way too anxiety ridden to actually get a full night’s rest. He’s not even sure how Dick slept with all the pacing he must have heard late at night. It was starting to show: dark circles starting to form under his eyes, a baggie, oversized hoodie with cigarette burns on the sleeves (from when he was able to smoke without fear of being caught by Alfred or Bruce), messy curls. He’s surprised he hadn’t popped a blood vessel with how much he’d cried. “Yeah, well…” Jason trails off, not having the energy to come up with a good comeback at the moment.Dick takes a seat next to him and holds out a basket of fries and a cup of fruit. “Stole these from the lunchroom. I had to sneak around the entrance desk or the librarian. She would probably eat me alive if she saw.”“Thanks.” He said, taking the cup of fruit and tearing the plastic sheet off.Jason wasn’t the type of person that wouldn’t eat when he was upset. He’d not been able to eat when he wanted to often as a child. His mother- his real mother- thought her next hit was more important then feeding herself and her child.Dick smiles, not as blinding as usual. It’s more toned down, probably because he knows Jason isn’t up to deal with the usual cheerful Dick Greyson antics. “No problem.” he says softly. “Roy hasn’t bothered you, right?”“Haven’t got a call, he hasn’t come to talk to me yet.” Jason lied.Roy had called a few times on Saturday, but Jason didn’t answer. He wanted to be left alone. He didn’t need to hear any stupid excuse to why he was being left. He wasn’t worth it to dump before moving on. Dick raised a brow at that. No point in lying. Dick Grayson was a bloodhound for lies. Especially when Jason tries telling them. “Really? Nothing?”Jason shrugged. “He called. Didn’t answer.”“Didn’t want to hear him out?”“Not really.” Jason says before shoveling a spoonful of peaches into his mouth.Dick placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Jay. Seriously.”“Well, I’ll live.” Jason shrugs, pushing Dick’s shoulder off. He didn’t need to hear any apologies.“Yeah.” Dick reaches over to take some fries. “I know you didn’t want me telling him off, but I did kind of let him have it over text, Kory told him off a bit.”“Really?”“She seems to have taken to you.”“Well, she’s kind of hot.”Dick nudges his brother. “Asshole,” he snickered, “Do you only have interest in people I’ve been with?”Jason shrugs. “It’s not my fault they’re all interested in me.”They both laugh, Dick shifting to elbow Jason’s side again. Jason shoves his arm away, almost spilling canned peach liquid on his hoodie. They ended up talking about things other then Roy. Jason mentioned what he was reading, Dick unneedingly caught him up with the drama in the household. Tim was debating if dropping out of school was worth it because he was so tired, Cass was starting to help Duke -the new foster child Bruce has taken in- settle into the house. Once the food was finished, Jason was back to curling up in the beanbag.“I know you and Roy didn’t date…”Dick raised a brow. “I see a but coming.”“Is he usually like this?” Jason asked.“Not really. Which is why I’m kind of pissed at him. You think he would know better then to invite Jade over. I don’t know if rumors are true, I doubt it, not just for your sake but for his. Jade wasn’t the greatest girlfriend.”Jason takes a moment before pressing. “What do you mean by that?”“Well…” Dick bit his lip, internally debating on if he should tell his little brother this. “Jade and him moved really fast and crashed and burned really… bad. Not to say either of them were abusive. She was just really overbearing sometimes, a little too much if you ask me. Probably one of the reasons they broke up.”“Right.” The rug underneath them caught Jason’s gaze. “So they probably weren’t flirting. I might ‘ve… overreacted.”“I mean, you call Tim a replacement-”“That means nothing!” Jason huffs as he crosses his arms over his chest.“Sure it doesn’t, little wing.” Dick waves a hand, a small smirk on his lips. “You know, if you want to know for sure, you could ask him?”Jason lets the question linger in the air for the moment. He doesn’t know how to answer that. Asking Roy means confronting, and as much as Jason doesn’t have a problem with that, he does have a slight problem with being rejected. He already felt that way that night, and either way this could end with Roy “abandoning” him. Or Maybe he listens to Harley too much.“I’ll think about it.”
~~~
By the time lunch is over, Jason feels a little better. Good enough that he pretended to be somewhere else while in class. He’s not actively participating in class, but he’s able to listen without issue at the very least. Classes weren’t super taxing today anyways, just a few homework assignments that are read a section in your textbook, or fill something out on this worksheet. On his way back to the dorms, Jason looked through his phone. No missed calls from Roy, which makes sense considering they both were busy with school. His eyes however linger over the voice message he got on Saturday. He hadn’t listened to it. At the time, the thought of hearing Roy’s voice made him sick. However, he was curious and he might miss Roy’s stupid voice.His thumb hovers over the voice message. He hesitates for a brief moment. He doesn’t need to hear whatever he says.Then he hits play.Roy’s voice comes in through his headphones. “Hey, I get that I am the last person you want to hear from right now, but I really, really , need to talk to you.”“I get that you’re pissed at me, which is valid, but please hear me out. If you don’t like what I say, you get a free punch wherever you prefer the next time you see me. I just don’t want to end things like this.”Jason swallows hard. His hands shake as he turns the message off. As much as he tried to hide it, Roy sounded so defeated, so resigned to watch Jason walk away. Here Jason was, assuming that Roy was leaving him behind, that he instinctively pushed Roy away. They both had a lot of explaining to do.Jason found himself sitting outside Roy’s door, picking at the rough, dark blue carpet on the floor. Roy had archery practice, Jason could have gone there, but it would be better if they were alone for this. The gym was way too public of a place to have a conversation about their relationship.The archer soon stood in front of him, back slung over his shoulder. He arches a brow at Jason. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”“I got your voicemail.” Jason couldn’t bring himself to look at Roy, feeling too nervous and a little guilty. “You wanted me to hear you out, so…”“Let’s get in my room first.”Jason rises to his feet and follows Roy in, letting the door shut behind him before perching on the standard-issued desk in every dorm room.“You look terribly tired. Did you even sleep?” Roy says quietly“We didn’t come here to discuss that.” Jason points out, as his nose scrunches up. Second time today that someone told him he looked terribly sleep deprived.“Right.” Roy slides his bag off his shoulders, leaving it next to the door. “Well, first I’m sorry for making you upset. I didn’t mean for rumors to get out of hand.”“That is not your fault and you know it.”“Okay, well, I’m still sorry anyways. I don’t like seeing you like this.”“I wouldn’t be like this if you weren’t flirting with your ex.”Roy lets out a sigh at that. “I wasn’t. We were just talking, and people saw us together and you know how people talk.”“Right, whatever.” Jason crosses his arms over his chest. “You weren’t flirting, fine. I believe you-”“Jaybird-”“Don’t.” Jason gives him a serious look. “Don’t call me that right now. Just explain.”“Me and Jade are just friends now. We’re way better off that way, both of us would agree on that. We were catching up, I was telling her about you, actually.” Roy says, standing across from Jason, next to his bed. “Why were people saying you were flirting?” Jason asks.“ ‘Cause it’s high school? ‘Cause we used to be a thing? ‘Cause kids at the party are assholes who come to a prep and boarding school?” Roy sits on his bed. “I’m kind of not the expert of these things, Jay.”“What did she say about me then?”“That night? That she was happy for me, and if you were an asshole to me that she’d come and kick your ass.”Jason let out a scoff at that. “Like to see her try.”“So, do you wanna tell me what you saw?” Roy asks tentatively.Jason looked at the floor for a moment. “She… she touched your shoulder, and then I heard some people talking about how she used to be your girlfriend and…”“You were jealous?” Roy almost smirks at that. Almost.“I-” Jason stops himself. He was, he still is. Jade was pretty from what he saw of her. Long black hair, long green nails, gorgeous brown eyes. It’s not self consciousness, it’s more that Roy talking to her and letting her touch him and Jason doesn’t let himself see past the green of envy to actually realize that that night at the party was just old friends catching up.“I’m so stupid.” He mutters, hanging his head low.His hands grip the desk under him, nails threatening to dig into the cheap “wood” covering the desk. “I was going to ask you when you were going to make us official. I was hoping to ask you if you wanted to my boyfriend, and I just saw her and I heard all that shit and I fucked up. I don’t even know why you want to be with someone like me, I was completely out of line and I-”“Jason-”“No, I fucked up. I get it if you want out of this. I mean, sooner or later you were going to realize I’m-”Jason feels Roy’s arm wrap around his waist, his hand tilted his head up and Jason completely stills, frozen but not tense under the touch. “I was gonna ask you the same thing.”His heart hammers in his chest as he comes out from blue screening that hard. “What?”“I was going to ask if you wanted to be my boyfriend. I know we’ve been kind of slow, but I wanted to 'cause it’s you . And you’re something else, Jay.”Jason’s pulse rises, a dull thunder that he swears he can hear. The words on Roy’s lips were lost when Jason reached up, catching the nape of his neck and pulling him forward to the press of his lips. Roy gave into Jason, his lips nothing but tenderness, his hand moving from his chin to his cheek. He pulled back far enough to look him in his face. “Does that mean the answer is yes?”Flush crept across Jason’s cheeks as he ducked his head into the crook of Roy’s neck. “Dumbass.” He whispered, his tone affectionate.